Sex education classes in Brighton will become more trans-inclusive in 2020

6th January 2019

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One of the main additions is teaching that some people who have periods are trans or non-binary.

A new, more trans-inclusive sex education class will be rolled out in Brighton next year. The lessons were approved by the Brighton and Hove City Council, who are aiming to tackle the stigma surrounding periods.

A council report said: “Trans boys and men and non-binary people may have periods. Menstruation must be inclusive of all genders.”

Further recommendations in the report suggested a more inclusive language as well. “Language and learning about periods is inclusive of all genders, cultures, faiths and sexual orientations,” the report read. “For example; ‘girls and women and others who have periods.'”

The report also mentioned that bins for menstrual products would now be available in all school toilets, and called on school nurses to be able to give additional support to trans and gender non-binary students if they needed it.

The council followed up the report by releasing a guide called the Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit, which includes resources for teachers informing them how to approach the topic of gender.

In a statement, Brighton and Hove City Council said: “By encouraging effective education on menstruation and puberty, we hope to reduce stigma and ensure no child or young person feels shame in asking for period products inside or outside of school if they need them.

“We believe that it’s important for all genders to be able to learn and talk about menstruation together. Our approach recognizes the fact that some people who have periods are trans or non-binary.”

Their statement was endorsed by the Royal College of Pediatricians and Child Health. In a statement, they said: “There needs to be a clear statement that LGBT people and relationships are part of teaching about healthy relationships in primary school.

“This can be demonstrated in relation to families – but also it is helpful to children to learn the meaning of terms such as lesbian, gay and bisexual.”

Predictably, however, the new class did attract some criticism with anti-trans MP David Davies labeling it as “insanity.” Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “Learning about periods is already a difficult subject for children that age, so to throw in the idea girls who believe they are boys also have periods will leave them completely confused.”